Let Me In (Chely Wright album)

Last updated
Let Me In
Wright letmein.jpg
Studio album by
Chely Wright
ReleasedSeptember 9, 1997
Genre Country
Length33:40
Label MCA Nashville
Producer Tony Brown
Chely Wright chronology
Right in the Middle of It
(1996)		Let Me In
(1997)		 Single White Female
(1999)
Singles from Let Me In
  1. "Shut Up and Drive"
    Released: July 14, 1997
  2. "Just Another Heartache"
    Released: November 17, 1997
  3. "I Already Do"
    Released: March 16, 1998

Let Me In is the third studio album by American country music artist Chely Wright. The album was released on September 9, 1997 on MCA Nashville Records and was produced by Tony Brown. Let Me In was Wright's first album to chart on the Billboard Magazine album charts and also spawned her first Top 40 singles. It was also the first of three albums Wright recorded for the MCA Nashville label.

Contents

Background

Let Me In was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, United States and contained ten tracks of recorded material. The album's producer, Tony Brown, was known for producing other well-known artists on the MCA Nashville label, such as George Strait and Reba McEntire. [1] Brian Wahlert of Country Standard Time found that the albums' production seemed to be marketed towards country pop, calling the album itself a "country-pop gem". [2] Thom Owens of Allmusic found that producer Tony Brown seemed to have stripped the album's production "down to the core". Owens explained that, "for much of Let Me In, she's singing over clean acoustic arrangements; only a few cuts are adorned with pop/rock instrumentation. Wright benefits from the spare arrangements, which only emphasize her lovely voice and charisma." [1] The album's ninth track, "Feelin' Single - Seein' Double", was a cover version of the original song by American country artist Emmylou Harris, found on her 1975 album Elite Hotel . [3] Three of the album's ten tracks were co-written by Wright, including the set opener "Your Woman Misses Her Man", "I Already Do" (which would eventually be released as a single), and "Is It Love Yet". [1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Entertainment Weekly (B+) [4]

Let Me In mainly received positive reviews from critics. Country Standard Time's Brian Walhert said that the album's first five songs were "masterfully crafted", calling the third track "Shut Up and Drive" to combine both "sympathy" and "quiet urgency". Walhert also praised the fourth track "Emma Jean's Guitar" for its storyline and plot. Walhert then commented that the album seemed to of gone "downhill" after the fifth track saying, "But then the music starts to go downhill with "Just Another Heartache," sounding like filler for a Lorrie Morgan album. Wright's vocals are always warm and sweet with a slight twang. Here's hoping she comes up with better songs next time out." [2] Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly gave Let Me In a "B+" rating stating, "...on Let Me In, she turns her commanding alto to a fine program of contemporary country, including the title ballad and "Emma Jean's Guitar," a left-field song about a pawnshop instrument and the stories it holds. An unexpected jewel. [4]

Thom Owens of Allmusic also reviewed Let Me In and gave the album four out of five stars, stating that because of the album's production, "the result is her most accomplished and arguably best album to date." [1]

Release and singles

Let Me In spawned its third track "Shut Up and Drive" as the lead single in July 1997. The single became Wright's first Top 40 single as well as her first major hit single, reaching #14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart, #112 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart, [5] and also #21 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart. [6] The second single released was the album's sixth track "Just Another Heartache" in November 1997. The single eventually peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart [5] and #51 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart. [6] The third and final single spawned from Let Me In was the track "I Already Do" in March 1998. The song peaked at #36 on the Billboard country chart [5] and #59 on the Canadian RPM country chart. [6] Let Me In was officially released on September 9, 1997 on MCA Nashville Records via a compact disc. The album became Wright's first release to chart on the Billboard album charts, peaking at #25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, #171 on the Billboard 200, and #10 on the Top Heatseekers chart. [7] In addition, Let Me In also peaked at #23 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums/CDs chart in 1998. [8]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Your Woman Misses Her Man" Ed Hill, Mark D. Sanders, Chely Wright 3:02
2."Let Me In"Deanna Bryant3:58
3."Shut Up and Drive" Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate, Sam Tate3:49
4."Emma Jean's Guitar" Matraca Berg, Jeff Hanna, Gary Harrison 3:49
5."I Already Do" Gary Burr, Wright3:47
6."Just Another Heartache"Hill, Sanders2:41
7."Is It Love Yet?" Kostas, Wright3:01
8."Before You Lie"Burr, Bob McDill 3:52
9."Feelin' Single - Seein' Double" Wayne Kemp 2:31
10."10 Lb. Heart"Nick Pellegrino, Kenya Walker4:12

Personnel

Sales chart positions

Album

Chart (1997)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200 [7] 171
U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums [7] 25
U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers [7] 10
Canadian RPM Country Albums/CD's [8] 23
UK Country Albums ( OCC ) [9] 7

Singles

YearSongChart positions
US Country
[5] 		US
[5] 		CAN Country
[6]
1997"Shut Up and Drive"1411221
"Just Another Heartache"39—51
1998"I Already Do"36—59
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chely Wright</span> American country music singer-songwriter

Chely Wright is an American activist, author, diversity officer and country music artist. She initially rose to fame as a commercial country recording artist with several charting singles, including the number one hit, "Single White Female." She later became known for her role in LGBT activism after publicly coming out as a gay woman in 2010. She has sold over 1,500,000 copies and 10,000,000 digital impressions to date in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lonestar</span> American country music group

Lonestar is an American country music group from Texas. The group consists of Drew Womack, Michael Britt, Dean Sams, and Keech Rainwater (drums). Britt, Sams, and Rainwater co-founded the band in 1992 with original lead vocalist Richie McDonald and bass guitarist/vocalist John Rich. Rich exited the band in 1998 and went on to join Big Kenny as one-half of the duo Big & Rich. Since his departure, Lonestar has relied alternatingly on session and touring musicians for bass guitar accompaniment. McDonald exited the band in 2007 to record as a solo artist, and was replaced by former McAlyster vocalist Cody Collins before returning in 2011. McDonald left a second time in 2021 to join The Frontmen, with former Sons of the Desert lead vocalist Drew Womack replacing him.

<i>Greater Need</i> 1996 studio album by Lorrie Morgan

Greater Need is the fifth studio album by American country music artist Lorrie Morgan, released in 1996. It included three singles, all of which entered the Billboard country singles charts: "By My Side", "I Just Might Be" and "Good as I Was to You."

<i>So Good Together</i> 1999 studio album by Reba McEntire

So Good Together is the twenty-fourth studio album by American country music singer Reba McEntire. It was released in 1999 and was preceded by the single "What Do You Say". "What Do You Say" peaked at number 3 on the country singles chart and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Short Form Video. It also became her highest charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 31 and becoming her first big crossover hit. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.

<i>Now and Then</i> (Michelle Wright album) 1992 studio album by Michelle Wright

Now and Then is the third studio album by the Canadian country music artist Michelle Wright. It was released on May 22, 1992, on Arista Nashville. The album's first single, "Take It Like a Man", became Wright's first number one hit on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart and her only top ten hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Two more singles, "One Time Around" and "Guitar Talk", also topped the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

<i>Big Hopes</i> 1998 studio album by Ty Herndon

Big Hopes is the third studio album by American country music artist Ty Herndon. It features the singles "A Man Holding On ", "It Must Be Love", and "Hands of a Working Man". These songs peaked at #5, #1, and #5, respectively, on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. "It Must Be Love" was his third and final Number One on the country charts, while "Hands of a Working Man" was his last Top Ten.

<i>Live: Wherever You Are</i> 2006 album by Jack Ingram

Live: Wherever You Are is a 2006 album by American country music artist Jack Ingram. His first album for Big Machine Records, it is largely a live album, although it features two studio tracks respectively entitled "Wherever You Are" and "Love You", both of which were released as singles. The former became Ingram's breakthrough hit, having reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shut Up and Drive (Chely Wright song)</span> 1997 single by Chely Wright

"Shut Up and Drive" is a song written by Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate, and Sam Tate, and recorded by American country music singer Chely Wright. It was released in July 1997 as the first single from her album Let Me In, her first album for MCA Nashville. The song brought Wright to the country top 40 for the first time, with a peak of #14 on Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks.

<i>Living Hard</i> 2007 studio album by Gary Allan

Living Hard is the seventh studio album by American country music singer Gary Allan. It was released on October 23, 2007 via MCA Nashville.

<i>Thank God for Believers</i> 1997 studio album by Mark Chesnutt

Thank God for Believers is the seventh studio album by American country music artist Mark Chesnutt. His third album for Decca Records, it produced four singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts between 1997 and 1998: the title track, "It's Not Over", "I Might Even Quit Lovin' You", and "Wherever You Are". "Wherever You Are" was the first single of Chesnutt's career to miss the Top 40 on the country charts. With this album, Chesnutt is also reunited with producer Mark Wright, who produced Chesnutt's first four MCA Nashville albums.

<i>Right in the Middle of It</i> 1996 album by Chely Wright

Right in the Middle of It is the second album by American country artist Chely Wright. The album was released January 9, 1996, on PolyGram/Mercury Records, co-produced by Ed Seay and Harold Shedd. Although praised by AllMusic, the album was not successful. Three of its singles charted on the North American country charts. After this, Wright to left the label.

<i>Single White Female</i> (album) 1999 album by Chely Wright

Single White Female is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Chely Wright. The album was released on May 18, 1999, by MCA Nashville Records. It was produced by Tony Brown, Buddy Cannon, and Norro Wilson. The album was originally to be titled The Fire, but was re-titled to Single White Female when the title track was increasing on the charts.

<i>Love Travels</i> 1997 studio album by Kathy Mattea

Love Travels is the tenth studio album by American country music artist, Kathy Mattea. It was released on February 4, 1997, via Mercury Records Nashville. The disc contained a total of 11 tracks that blended a mixture of different musical styles. Love Travels spawned four singles, two of which made the North American country songs charts: "455 Rocket" and the title track. The album itself reached the top 20 of the American country albums chart and was reviewed positively by critics.

<i>...In Black & White</i> 1982 studio album by Barbara Mandrell

...In Black & White is the eleventh solo studio album by American country music artist Barbara Mandrell. The album was released in April 1982 on MCA Records and was produced by Tom Collins. It was Barbara Mandrell's first studio album in two years since the release of Love Is Fair.

<i>..."Let Me Sing"</i> 1963 studio album by Brenda Lee

..."Let Me Sing" is the ninth studio album by American singer Brenda Lee. The album was released December 9, 1963, on Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. The album was the second and final album studio album released by Brenda Lee in 1963.

<i>Burning the Day</i> 2010 studio album by Randy Rogers Band

Burning the Day is the seventh studio album by the Randy Rogers Band, an American country music group. It was released on August 24, 2010, via MCA Nashville. Its first single, "Too Late for Goodbye," peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

<i>The Sound of a Million Dreams</i> 2011 studio album by David Nail

The Sound of a Million Dreams is the second studio album by American country music artist David Nail. It was released on November 15, 2011 via MCA Nashville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jezebel (Chely Wright song)</span> 2001 single by Chely Wright

"Jezebel" is a song by American country music artist Chely Wright. The song was written by Rascal Flatts member Jay DeMarcus, who was once part of her tour band, and Marcus Hummon, with the song being produced by Wright and Paul Worley. MCA Nashville released the single to country radio on December 3, 2001 as the second and final single from Wright's fifth studio album Never Love You Enough (2001). It was also her final single for the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Paint Myself into Corners</span>

"I Don't Paint Myself into Corners" is a song written by Trey Bruce and Rebecca Lynn Howard. It was recorded for Howard's self-titled debut album and released as a single in 2000. The song reached a position on the Billboard country chart that same year. It would notably be covered by Trisha Yearwood in 2001 for her studio album, Inside Out. In 2002, it was also released as a single by Yearwood and also became a charting Billboard country hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Tell Me (Lee Ann Womack song)</span> 1999 single by Lee Ann Womack

"Don't Tell Me" is a song written by Buddy Miller and Julie Miller. It was originally released in 1998 by American country artist, Lee Ann Womack, on her debut album titled Some Things I Know. In 1999, it was spawned as the fourth and final single from the album and reached minor chart positions on North American country surveys.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Owens, Thom. "Let Me In > Review". Allmusic . Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  2. 1 2 Wahlert, Brian. "Let Me In - Chely Wright". Country Standard Time . Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  3. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Elite Hotel > Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  4. 1 2 Nash, Alanna (19 September 1997). "Let Me In". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Let Me In > singles". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Search results for "Chely Wright" under "country singles"". RPM . Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Let Me In > charts". Allmusic. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  8. 1 2 "Search results for "Let Me In" under "country albums/CD's"". RPM. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  9. ↑ "Chely Wright". Official Charts .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.